Drying garment with head wrap

ABSTRACT

A garment for drying the hair and body simultaneously, and a method to use that garment. The garment may include an article of clothing to dry the body, such as a bathrobe or the like, attached to an elongated hood. The elongated hood may envelop and secure the hair to facilitate the drying process. Furthermore, the elongated hood may be detached from the garment. The garment and elongated hood may be made of a water-absorbent material, such as terry cloth, to aid in the absorption of moisture from the body and hair. The garment is useful after bathing or swimming to dry the hair and body while securing the hair out of the wearer&#39;s way.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to garments used to dry a person after bathing or swimming. More particularly, the invention relates to a garment that can be used to dry the human body and the hair simultaneously while keeping the hair secured in place.

Various methods are known for drying the body and hair. As one example, bathrobes and/or towels are used for drying the hair and body after bathing. After bathing a bather often wears a robe to dry the body, and wraps the hair in a towel to dry simultaneously. The towel around the head serves an additional benefit: holding back the hair and allowing the bather mobility while drying. Wearing this, the bathers can brush their teeth or apply makeup while simultaneously drying the body and hair without wet hair dripping on the face or body. However, often-times the towel wrapped atop the head will fall while the bather is attempting these other activities.

It would be advantageous to devise a garment that could dry the body and the hair simultaneously while securing the hair in place and out of the way, allowing the wearer great mobility.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a body drying garment that enables a bather to dry the body and hair simultaneously while keeping the hair securely positioned out of the face.

Definitions of Claim Terms

The following terms are used in the claims of the patent as filed and are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of the law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language.

“Detachable” means that the hood is removable from the garment and is also reattachable to the garment.

“Elongated hood” means a covering for the head and neck, including a pouch or fold of sufficient size to envelop and cover the hair that may be twisted around the hair, placed atop the head, and secured at the back of the wearer's neck.

“Fastening mechanism” means a device capable of securing the elongated hood to the garment to which it is attached.

“Garment” means an item of clothing that may be worn on the human body.

“Material(s)” means fabric or cloth that may be draped on the body and form a garment.

“Water-absorbent” means a fabric or cloth that soaks up water, such as but not limited to terry cloth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects, are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages of using a garment or material to dry the body while using a separate material to dry the hair, while providing new advantages not previously obtainable with such drying devices.

In a preferred embodiment, a drying garment with a long hood that secures the hair is provided for drying the body and hair simultaneously. Wearing this garment is achieved in the following manner: a garment used for drying, such as a robe, is worn on the body after bathing or swimming; and an elongated hood is attached to the collar. When the wearer bends forward the elongated hood falls over the head and hair. The hood is long enough to envelop and cover the hair. The hair may be tucked into the hood, and the hood may be twisted around the hair until it is snug to the head, allowing the twisted hood to be secured atop or behind the head by a fastening mechanism. The hood and robe preferably cover the neck, protecting it from drafts.

In a preferred embodiment, a further feature of the garment is that the elongated hood may be detachable from the collar by using a zipper, releasably attachable means such as VELCRO®, or some other suitable mechanism. The elongated hood may be removed after the hair has dried or the wearer is warm. The attachable/detachable mechanism for the hood may be hidden in the collar, rendering the garment more comfortable for the wearer after removing the elongated hood. Such features permit the drying garment to be used for lounging or sleeping thereafter.

In another embodiment, the garment with an elongated hood attached to it may be a poncho, a shirt, a jumper, a dress, a wrap, or any other type of garment that may be used to dry the body after bathing or swimming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the drying garment;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a user wearing a preferred embodiment of the drying garment, tucking the hair into the elongated hood;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a user wearing a preferred embodiment of the drying garment, twisting the elongated hood after the hair has been tucked inside it;

FIG. 4 is a rear and side view illustrating a user wearing a preferred embodiment of the drying garment, in the act of securing the twisted, elongated hood to the back of the head using the fastening mechanism located at the back of the wearer's head.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views illustrating a user wearing a preferred embodiment of the drying garment and securing the elongated hood on the back of the head using the fastening mechanism located at the back of the wearer's neck;

FIG. 7 is a rear view illustrating a user wearing a preferred embodiment of the drying garment with the elongated hood secured to the back of the wearer's head by the fastening mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a view of one preferred fastening mechanism;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are a rear view and a side view of an alternative embodiment of a drying garment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of still another alternative embodiment of the drying garment;

FIG. 12 is a side and front view of an alternative embodiment of the drying garment;

FIG. 13 is a side and front view of an alternative embodiment of the drying garment;

FIG. 14 is a side and front view of an alternative embodiment of the drying garment;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of one preferred embodiment of the detachable elongated hood;

FIG. 16 is a rear view of another preferred embodiment of the detachable elongated hood;

FIG. 17 is a rear view of another preferred embodiment of the detachable elongated hood;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of another preferred embodiment of the detachable elongated hood;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure, or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a robe 1, may be employed as a garment to dry the body. The robe 1 may preferably be made of a water absorbent material, such as terry cloth. An elongated hood 2, to aid in drying the hair simultaneously with drying of the body, may be attached to the robe. Hood 2 should be elongated with sufficient length LI, such as at least twenty-four (24) inches long, to allow the hood to envelop and cover the hair of a woman wearing her hair at a medium to long length. Of course, it may be desirable to use shorter (for children) or longer hoods depending upon the specific use. Hood 2 may also be made of a water-absorbent material, such as terry cloth, which may be the same or a different material comprising the lower garment.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the elongated hood 2 may be worn on the head to envelop its wearer's hair 5. The wearer may lean forward allowing the hood 2 to fall over and envelop the hair 5. While leaning forward, the wearer may tuck the hair in the hood 2 and twist the hood 2 around the hair 5 to aid in drying and wringing excess water out of the hair 5, and to also provide a firm, stable base that may be securely fastened, as discussed below.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wearer has twisted the hair within elongated hood 2. The wearer may begin to stand upright, holding the twisted hood 2 and flipping it on the top of the head. In this preferred embodiment of the fastening mechanism, a fastening mechanism such as a loop 7 may be located at the tip of the elongated hood 2; and another mating fastening mechanism such as a button (one or more than one) 6 may be attached to the back of the elongated hood 2. These figures show an exemplary placement of these buttons however their location on the garment is not limited thereto.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate elongated hood 2 twisted and secured by the mating fastening mechanisms 6, 7 to the back of the wearer's head. The hair wrapped inside the elongated hood 2 assists in drying the hair. Additionally, the fastened hood 2 is secured to the wearer's head so as not to fall in the wearer's face. The wearer will be able to dry the body and hair simultaneously while brushing teeth or applying makeup or lotions without having to worry about wet hair dripping into the face or onto the floor or the hood falling off of the head.

FIG. 8, a preferred embodiment of a fastening mechanism may be a large button 6 to which a loop 7 may be secured. To assemble the preferred embodiment of the fastening mechanism a button 6 may be sewn on the back of the hood 2 and a loop 7 may be attached to the tip of the elongated hood 2. Such a fastening mechanism 6, 7 may be of many different types: snaps; hooks; a pin; releasably attachable means such as VELCRO®; etc.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the garment for drying the body is a shirt 9 and pants 10 made of a water-absorbent material. Ideally, such a garment would be worn after swimming. The shirt has an elongated hood 2 attached to it. Again, a portion of fastening mechanism 7 may be located at the tip of the hood 2, and the mating fastening mechanism 6 on the garment at the nape of the neck area.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, an alternative embodiment of the garment invention includes a towel dress 11. Top 14 of towel dress 11 wraps around the chest area of the bather. The top portion 14 of the towel dress 11 may have an elastic band within it to keep the top 14 of the towel dress 11 tight. The dress 11 may fasten on the wearer using releasably attachable means such as VELCRO® pieces 12, 13: piece 12 may be located on the front of the left side of the garment 15; and piece 13 may be located on the back of the right side of garment 16. Elongated hood 2 is attached to the towel dress 11 at the top portion 14 of the garment.

FIG. 13 is an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the garment for drying the body is a poncho 17 made for example from cotton with buttons 8 (optional) to close the collar and elongated hood 2 with a loop 7 at the end. The neck area of the poncho can be tightened around the neck of the bather to insulate it from drafts. The neck of the poncho is tightened by fastening loops 27 located at the front of the neck area of the poncho to a button 18 at the rear.

FIG. 14 is an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the garment for drying the body is a jumpsuit 19 with suspenders 20 and an elongated hood 2 that may be fastened using loop 7 as described above.

FIG. 15 is a detail view of a preferred embodiment of the detachable hood wherein the hood 2 may be attached to the garment 25 by hidden zippers 21. The wearer will be able to remove the hood after the hair has dried to make lounging and or sleeping in the robe more comfortable.

FIG. 16 is a detail view of an alternative embodiment of the detachable hood wherein the hood 2 may be attached to the garment 25 by releasably attachable means such as VELCRO® 22.

FIG. 17 is a detail view of an alternative embodiment of the detachable hood wherein the hood with a small hole 26 may be attached to the garment 25 by a button 23.

FIG. 18 is a detail view of an alternative embodiment of the detachable hood wherein the hood 2 may be attached to the garment 25 by snaps 24.

The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claim that define the invention. For example while preferred embodiments involving drying principles applied to garments with elongated hoods have been described above, persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other designs still falling within the scope of the following claims may be envisioned and used. It is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function, or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. 

1. A garment for drying the hair and body, comprising: an item of water-absorbent clothing to cover and dry at least a portion of the body; the item of clothing having an attached, elongated hood shaped and of sufficient size to envelop and cover the hair, and which may be twisted and folded atop the head to hold and dry the hair, wherein the elongated hood includes a fastening mechanism to secure the hood atop the head.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the item of clothing is comprised of a towel-like material.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the elongated hood is comprised of a towel-like material.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises one of the following: a clasp; button; snap; hook; releasably attachable means; pin; and/or hook and eye closure.
 6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the fastening mechanism secures the elongated hood to a portion of the garment.
 7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the portion of the garment lies adjacent to a rear portion of the neck.
 8. The garment of claim 6, wherein the fastening mechanism further comprises a loop.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the elongated hood is detachable from the item of clothing using a detaching mechanism.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the item of clothing comprises one of the following items of clothing: robe; shirt; towel dress; poncho; jumper; cape; dress; jacket.
 11. A method for drying the body and hair comprising the steps of: donning a garment having an elongated hood that covers and dries a portion of the body; enveloping the hair within the elongated hood; twisting the elongated hood with the hair enveloped within it, and folding the hood atop the head, thereby positioning the hood with the hair in it away from the face; and securing the elongated hood atop the head using fastening means.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of securing the fastening means of the elongated hood to a portion of the garment located on or adjacent a nape of the wearer's neck.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of securing a loop located on the hood to a fastening mechanism.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of detaching the elongated hood from the garment.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the garment comprises one of the following items of clothing: robe; shirt; towel dress; poncho; jumper; cape; dress; jacket; or wrap.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the garment comprises a water-absorbent material.
 18. A method for drying the body and hair comprising the steps of: donning a garment having an elongated hood that covers and dries a portion of the body, wherein the elongated hood includes fastening means; enveloping the hair within the elongated hood; folding the hood atop the head, thereby positioning the hood with the hair in it away from the face; and securing the elongated hood atop the head using fastening means.
 19. The garment of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism secures the elongated hood to a portion of the elongated hood adjacent to a rear portion of the neck.
 20. The garment of claim 9, wherein the detaching mechanism comprises at least one of the following: clasps; buttons; snaps; hooks; releasably attachable means; zippers; pins; hook and eye closure. 